Sales in outdoor plants continued to dominate other categories for a third month running in December. This is according to the Garden Centre Association?s Barometer of Trade report.
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Sales in the outdoor plants sector were up 17.73% compared to the previous year (2017).
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Iain Wylie said: ?It was interesting to see that outdoor plants sales came out on top instead.
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?Of course, it was all down to the Great British weather as we enjoyed a much milder festive season than usual. People were able to spend longer sorting out their plots and preparing for the new season.
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?Christmas sales did pick up after a poor November and were up 6.54%. Gift sales were also up 2.39% compared to the previous year.?
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Houseplant sales were up 8.12% and seed and bulb sales were up 3.64%.
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Sales in garden sundries were up 5.83% and hard landscaping sales were up 12.21%.
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Iain added: ?Non-traditional categories still performed well during the month. Food hall and farm shop sales were up 9.9%, clothing was up 4.44% and catering sales were up 11%.?
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Furniture and barbecue sales were down -8.93% and sales in pets and aquatics were down -2.36%.
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Sales for the month were up 6.8% with a year to date change of 1.27%.
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The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
